June/July 2014
Q+A with Bishop Tavaris L. Johnson. Sr.
My Life SAVING SOULS - MAKING DISCIPLES
?
Why Most Young People Today Are Not Prepared For Marriage
NOT YOUR AVERAGE...
Codi Miller-McIntyre The Path of Bible, Books & Basketball
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What are they looking at? e all would like to see our youth grow up and be productive, as well as contribute to society in a positive manner, but the adult generation need to realize that it starts with you! It is very important to be that example that we would like to see our youth demonstrate as they become active adults in our communities. We should let the word of Christ dwell in us richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom (Colossians 3:16). Everyone fall short at times, encountering the trials and tribulations of life itself, but God never promised any of us that we would have all good days. We just need to be equipped with the word to fight ! The younger generation embrace a lot of things purely based on what they “see”, so with that in mind, let us all be mindful of our actions and words that we speak on a daily basis. Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. The question still remains...Who`s reflection do they see?
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June/July 2014
Contents I WANTED A CAR, 07 FATHER, NOT A BIBLE... - CODI MILLER08 COVER McINTYRE
11 15 17 12
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WHY YOUNG PEOPLE TODAY ARE NOT READY FOR MARRIAGE
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THREE COMMON VIEWS ABOUT DEMONS TODAY
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Q+A WITH BISHOP TAVARIS L. JOHNSON & FIRST LADY WHITNEI D. HOLMAN JOHNSON
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MEET THE PASTOR: BISHOP JOHN HEATH & PASTOR JANICE HEATH
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FAULT LINES: HOW HIDDEN CRACKS CAN DESTROY A MINISTRY
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HEALTHY YOU: SLEEP! SLEEP! SLEEP!
ON THE COVER
CODI MILLER-McINTYER THE PATH OF BIBLE, BOOKS & BASKETBALL
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FATHER, I WANTED A CAR, Life Lessons NOT A BIBLE...
young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealers showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted. As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study, told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and how much he loved him. He handed him a beautifully wrapped gift box. Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with his name embossed in gold. Angrily, he raised his voice to his father and said, “With all your money you give me a Bible?” He stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible behind. Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old. He thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day. But before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to him. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things. When he arrived at his father’s house, sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father’s important documents and saw the Bible, new, just as he had left it years ago. With tears he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. His father had carefully underlined a verse, Matt 7:11, “And if ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father which is in Heaven, give to those who ask Him?” As He read those words, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealers name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words...PAID IN FULL.
How many times do we miss God’s blessings because they are not packaged as we expected?
for
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Cover Story
Not Your Average... The Path of Bible, Books & Basketball By: Alicia M. Caldwell Photos by: Monique Floyd Photography ave you ever Googled the name Codi Miller-McIntyre? No? Try it. There will be highlight reels, sports BLOG coverage, and a myriad of mentions in everything from articles to sports commentary. From local to national. You really don’t even have to type his entire name to get pages and pages of results! However, the overwhelming amount of information accessible from such a search only scratches the surface of the young man behind the hype. With talk and lifelong plans for Codi Miller-McIntyre to pursue the NBA, and with a likely probability of that plan coming to fruition, everyone wants to know, will want to know, or may think they already know the young man behind the ball. There is so much more to Miller-McIntyre than being nice with a ball. He is a Christian, stellar student, family man, and one of the most humble, charismatic athletes you could ever meet.
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When asked if he saw himself as a role model, it was hard for him say yes. So great is his level of humility that embracing a role that surely many have already cast him in, it is an almost abstract concept. He states, “The reality is that I am. The reason why I think people see me as a role model is that I have never shied away from my faith. And the work I put into basketball, I think people look up to the steps that I took to get here.” He goes on to say that he could’ve laid back and relaxed his senior year at First Assembly High School, secure in the fact that he had his scholarship to Wake Forest. Yet, he went to a Hargrave Military Academy his senior year to better himself and his future, by choice. That, young man, is why you’re a role model and should have no problem claiming that title, proudly!
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In a society that gives such a dramatic spotlight to what’s wrong in a community or demographic group, there has to be an equal effort, if not more, given to showcasing the opposite. The real community representatives. With our young people being inundated with images of sagging pants, mug shots, and the glorification of the phenomena of baseless celebrity it’s not hard to see why young men like Codi could be lost in the shuffle. It can’t be all left on his young shoulders, and those like him, to fight to be the example by which young people are judged. It’s up to everyone to show that he’s not the exception to the rule. He is the rule. He struggles daily to keep the balance of being a good student as a rising junior at Wake Forest University, stay grounded in the face of burgeoning basketball stardom, and keep strong ties with the family that has helped get him to where he is. How he does it…“faith.” The young man credits where he is, and where he’s going to unabashed, unwavering faith. Better still, when contemplating what will keep him from the pitfalls of the NBA and all that comes with it, faith is what he advises will keep him humble and on the right track. A track which God has laid for him. Basketball is his “passion,” but does not define him. His faith, that has opened the doors to so much already in his life, is his center and that is what everyone—his family, peers, scouts, society, those walking a similar path—should see, on and off of the court. The advice he would give to other young athlete is simple, “Follow your heart.” He says, that many are often surprised by the importance he places on basketball. He has his priorities in check, however, he has worked hard for a long time to set himself up to reach his ultimate goal of playing in the NBA. Miller-McIntyre uses the comparison of another student failing in a class essential for their degree and, in turn, their chosen career path. For them, he feels, there is no such thing as one “F” or one failed class. Why should he be any different? He wants people to understand that there is no one bad play or one bad game. It’s unacceptable. When you put in the time and work that is required to be successful at something, then you expect nothing less than perfection. And, whatever road the student athlete chooses, he warns they must follow their hearts, because they are the ones who have to live with the success or failure that follows. By comparison, Codi Miller-McIntyre may not be your average student, athlete, or young adult. Or, is he? He is exceptional, yes, in all three aspects but is he an aberration or a part of the rarely recognized norm? They are a group whose numbers are growing because they are on the same path of Bible, books, and basketball as this impressive young man. Or just maybe they’ve had the pleasure of meeting this incredible athlete, and like anyone would be, are much better because of his example? Codi Miller-McIntyre is why they coined the phrase, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” Young men like this command, by virtue of their daily actions, that you read until the last page. For, that and only that, is how you will get a full measure of who he is and of what he is capable.
“Follow your heart.” -Codi Miller-McIntyre
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Why Most Young People Today Are Not Prepared For Marriage
Christian Living
by Angie Lewis
his article speaks in generalities and what I have experienced in the young people I personally know today. I am not putting all 20-somethings into this category. You be the judge and decide for yourself if you are prepared for a lifetime marriage or not. Most young people are not prepared for marriage because they have never been taught the wife/husband and the woman/man roles for marriage. Most women walk into marriage with the attitude of how her husband can make her happy 24/7 and both of them walk into the marriage with feelings of desire and lust. This is not to say they do not love one another, but it is to say which are you basing the marriage on, love or feelings. Many times, because the husband does not truly know what his role is in the marriage, the wife in her disappointment becomes bossy and critical of her husband, but she does not know what his role is either, or hers for that matter. Then because of the lack of positive attention from his wife, the husband becomes bored and thinks he is not in love anymore. Of course if you’re going to have a marriage just like everyone else that will have a 50 to 60 percent chance rate of failure, then I suppose it does not matter if you have not been taught how to treat the opposite sex and love the person you marry. But if we want a godly marriage based on God’s principles then we DO NEED to know a little bit about what is expected
of us so we can honor God with our marriage, not turn it into a shambles. A couple should never walk into marriage thinking that the marriage is for their happiness and enjoyment, or think that our spouses are supposed to fulfill our every nonsensical whim and make us happy 24/7. That would be a fairytale marriage and there is no such thing as a fairytale marriage. The closest you will get to a fairytale marriage is if you manage your marriage under God’s relationship principles. Love
will be whisked up by prince charming and the marriage will be happily ever after. It’s a delusion. Let me show you the difference between the fairytale marriage and the Godly Marriage. Now remember, fairytale marriages don’t last because reality sets in and couples cannot handle the stress put upon what they presumed would be happily ever after. Godly Marriage * Godly marriages believe that happiness comes from within our spirit because of our relationship with God, and that marriage is made for honoring God the creator! * Godly marriage is based upon God’s principles of love, serving one another in love, which ultimately honors God. *Godly marriage is built upon commitment until death do you part rather than the “I’m not in love with you anymore” part. Fairytale Marriage * Fairytale marriages believe that happiness comes from each other, which makes marriage even more selfish.
must be without dissimulation. Have you ever noticed how the fairytale books always say in the end “and they lived happily ever after”? But this is VERY misleading and presumptuous, would you say? It’s just like telling small children about the existence of santa clause and the tooth fairy. It is ridiculous to have your daughter grow up believing that she
* Fairytale marriages believe that love is a feeling, which causes people to think they are not in love anymore. * Fairytale marriage never last because the fairytale eventually ends. *Fairytale marriage are based on feelings rather than commitment
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Christian Education Common Views About Demons Today There are three prevailing views concerning demons in our world today. These theories shape people’s perspectives about demonology. Demons were only active during Bible days.
by Pastor QT Nyathi Demons are only active in primitive societies.
Demons have manners; if you ignore them, they won’t bother you. This simplistic view insists that if you don’t pay attention to demons, they will return the favor by not interfering in your business. Unfortunately demons are meddlers by nature and can’t help but intrude into people’s affairs. For the worst of course.
Many people believe According to this view, that demonic activity only people living in ceased after the last primitive cultures, word of the Bible was written. Since tucked away in some dark corner demons are eternal spirit beings, they somewhere in the middle of nowhere, are still alive and kicking today. If struggle with demons. However the anything, demonic activity in our days reality is demons are present in every is more intense than during Bible days culture on the planet, including the because the enemy sees that he is ‘enlightened’ west. running out of time as the day of the Lord is fast-approaching. All these views are lies straight from the pit of hell. They are meant to allow Satan to continue with his malicious mission against mankind without anyone challenging or fighting him. The truth of the matter is demons are alive and active today and we must deal with them as and when we encounter them in the service of Christ.
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Q - Can we sin in our thoughts even if we don’t put them into action? A – YES, let’s equip this question with scripture. Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your MIND, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Philippians 2:5 “Let this MIND be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” I am a firm believer that SIN is what SIN does? If you thought about it or if you are thinking about it more than likely you will be exposed to it. Or in other words you will put what you’re considering in your mind into action. If you think about it long enough, hard enough or bad enough, you’ll ultimately do it. Proverbs 23:7. It is always good when you think about something that’s not holy or righteous to rebuke and cast down those thoughts so that you do not give the enemy power over your mind. 2 Corinthians 10:5. So my advice to you is, guard your thoughts, protect your mind and watch your habits don’t give the devil any glory, remember the MIND is the BATTLEFIELD for SPIRITUAL WARFARE. Ephesians 2:3; 6:10-18. Q - If someone is not a Christian, will God still answer their prayer? A - The Bible clearly says that God will not answer prayer requests of those who are not saved nor will He even listen to their prayers John 9:31. Believers have had their sins forgiven but those who are not Christian are separated from God by their sin Isaiah 59:2. I Peter 3:12 plainly says that God will hear a believer’s prayer but not those of the unsaved. As Pastors let us take this opportunity to invite you to Jesus if you are not a believer: ACKNOWLEDGE Jesus as your Savior; then CONFESS your sins & ask for FORGIVENESS; Finally, BELIEVE in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins – you are saved this very moment! Now this week find a church to attend to confirm your salvation and carry out the will of God for your life. New Dimension Community Christian Center 830 W. Green Drive High Point, North Carolina 27260 Administrative Office: (336) 525 - 6393 Email: newdimensionccc@aol.com Website: www.newdimensionccc.org “The Home Where Worship Is Sincere & Praise Brings Victory”
Meet the Pastor
Bishop John H. Heath Pastor Janice O. Heath aking footprints in the sands of time, Bishop John Henry Heath was born on May 28, 1958 to Mrs. Hattie Heath Bradford in the city of Winston-Salem, N.C. He was educated in the WSFCS System and attended Forsyth Technical Community College and NC School of Arts. He is married to the former Janice Ogelsby, and they have one daughter, Princess Bethany Nichole. Together they form a powerful trio that makes the very gates of hell tremble and the Angelic Host sing God’s praises.
“To Know God and Make Him Known” -Bishop John H. Heath
In 1982 Bishop John Heath was obedient to the voice of God and was ordained a Minister at Ambassador Cathedral under the leadership of Bishop F. D. Patterson. While faithfully serving his church and his Spiritual Father, Bishop F.D. Patterson followed God’s instructions and ordained and consecrated Minister John H. Heath as Elder and he was given the position of “Juridical Evangelist” and placed in the church’s archives in the 1988 Congress of the Ambassadors for Christ Revival Inc. Professionally he is a gospel soloist in his own right and was one of the lead singers with David Allen and the Ambassadors for Christ Church Choir. He has recorded such songs as “He made It Possible”, “Try Jesus”, and “What Shall Separate Me” which was recorded with the Gospel Music Workshop of America in Atlanta, Georgia in 1984. The Lord blessed Elder Heath to record, “I’m Going Home Soon” in Detroit Michigan in 1987. Elder Heath recorded with T & G Productions in August 1988 and recorded with Jimmy Thomas and the Triad Mass Choir, “He will Set You Free” in 1988. His recently recorded CDs include ”Get Right Church” “Put Your Hand In Mine” and “Christmas with John Heath”. The song “Put Your Hand In Mine” has blessed across the country and continues to be requested as a favorite Bishop Heath recording. Bishop Heath is also a talented actor and became a member of the North Carolina Black Repertory Theater, where he has performed in a number of productions. To name a few, “The Amen Corner” and “God’s Trombone”. Other theatricals include the famed Mabel Robinson’s Musical “Dancing with Duke”, where Bishop Heath had the leading role of the singing preacher. This production was held at the North Carolina School of the Arts at Guilford Technical College for the impressive Black Society. He has also performed in three major productions, “Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope”, Glory of Gospel” and “Mahalia” during the National Black Theater Festivals and “Black Nativity” for the NC Black Repertory Company. Bishop Heath performed numerous times on WGHP-TV8 Gospel Expo and (Continued on next page) 15 My E Life • www.myelifemag.com • JUNE/JULY 2014 • 336-323-8091
Meet the Pastor - Heath (Continued) received the 1988 Male Vocalist of the Year award from the Waljo Award Committee. The Mayor of Winston-Salem, North Carolina proclaimed and designated February 5, 1989 as” John Heath Day”. While traveling across the nation performing, singing and preaching, Bishop Heath had a great call to awaken God’s people to the promises that God has given and to push them to indentify their purpose and reach their destiny in God, by hearing the voice of God. With the blessing of his Spiritual Father and being led by the Holy Spirit, Bishop Heath answered the call to be Pastor of the Righteous Church of God in 1992. Continuing to be led by the Holy Spirit, Bishop Heath founded the now day reformation, Greater Higher Ground Ministries, Worldwide, Inc. in 1994. He was ordained and consecrated into the holy office of Bishopric in 1998. Bishop Heath received a Doctorate degree in Divinity from Bethlehem Bible College in May 1999 and received an honorary Doctorate degree in Human Letters in 2004. In 2001 he became a member of the African American Joint College of Pentecostal Bishops. Bishop John H. Heath now serves as Presiding Prelate and Chief Apostle of the Greater Higher Ground Ministries Worldwide, Inc. While fighting in God’s army, his personal battles have been many of which God has deliver him out of them all. Bishop Heath was diagnosed with Renal Failure in February 2000. However this did not stop his zeal and will to preach the Gospel, instead it strengthens his unwavering faith in knowing that God is in total control. He knew that through this journey, God was performing a work in him. On March 6, 2006, God performed a miracle and Bishop Heath received a kidney from one his spiritual sons, Deacon DeForest LaGrone. Recently, Bishop Heath underwent an amputation of his left foot, but continued to mount the pulpit every Sunday, pouring his heart out to the people of God with the Word of God. Bishop Heath continues to fight on the front lines in God’s Army receiving medal after medal. For his faithfulness during the month of July the dates of July 25th and 26th,2014 Bishop Heath will be consecrated to the office of Apostleship by Arch Bishop Freddie B. Marshall, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Apostle-Elect Bishop John Heath is a highly sought after and respected Man of God, Father in the Gospel, Preacher, teacher, mentor and prophetic voice to the body of Christ. Bishop Heath is among the last day Apostles and continue to sound the alarm of reformation and redemption with Holy Spirit demonstration using the gifts of the spirit to fulfill the mandate of : “To Know God and Make Him Known”
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Bishop’s Heath prayer everyday is “ Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee…Psalms 51 :10-13
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Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship Service 11:45 a.m. Bible Study Wednesday 7:30 p.m. Cell 336-253-2121 Home 336-697-0781 Email hfarr56@msn.com 3114-B Corbett Rd. Pleasant Grove, NC 27302
Fault Lines How Hidden Cracks Can Destroy A Ministry
Life
by Pastor QT Nyathi
In geology a fault is a fracture, break, or crack on the earth’s surface. Hidden cracks in the life of a Christian leader will send tremors through that leader’s life, family, and ministry, shaking his whole world. Let’s examine five fault zones in the life of a church leader. Leftover Lines Let’s admit it. We all have leftovers from our past lives prior to accepting Christ. It might be an affair that was left hanging, or whose embers were left flickering if ever so dimly. It can be an evil obsession that keeps resurfacing, like peeping into pornographic sites once in a while. After Simon the sorcerer got saved, traces of witchcraft still followed him as he wanted to buy the amazing power of the Holy Spirit from the apostles (Acts 8:18-23). Are you nibbling on the tiny morsels of your dark past? Generational Lines In the Bible Abraham’s seed had monumental challenges with lying, while David’s line had serious problems with sexual lust. What undeniable wicked fault line runs through your family tree all the way back to your great grand-parents? Is it a fiery temper, a domineering spirit, or the choking spirit of mammon? Are there any traces of negative behavior inherited from your ancestors that want to overwhelm your life? Demonic Lines As a key leader in the body of Christ, you are on top on the Devil’s hit list. These hits are executed by demons, Satan’s undercover agents. Dark angels are always trailing you and searching for the smallest loophole through which they can plot your downfall. Beware of a demonic set-up in every area of your life. Have you felt a coercive urge to do something evil lately? Is there an evil attitude or tendency that is slowly trying to take root in your life? Are you having an inexplicable craving for a drug that God delivered you from decades ago? Accountability Lines Without accountability in a leader’s life, a big stress fracture has already started developing. Leaders who don’t have proper accountability structures around them are sitting on a time bomb. Some senior leaders try to soothe their screaming consciences by surrounding themselves with yes-men. If you are an assistant pastor, or second man, part of your solemn duty is to help your senior leader spot the invisible faults in his or her life. Concealment Lines Sin grows in darkness. What you hide inside kills you. Secretive tendencies are destructive tendencies. Do you have a dark secret that you are harbouring as a servant of God? It may not be a sin as such, but will eventually evolve into one if you don’t deal with it. It may be facing the painful truth that you are starting to have feelings for your secretary, or one of the ladies in your church. It may be an evil plan that you are hatching in your mind to try and deal with a delicate situation. If you see these and other small cracks developing in your life, don’t despair. There is hope and recovery in the Lord. Here is a simple five-step recovery plan to help you seal the cracks. Step #1: Reveal the crack Make the crack known to God and/or a trusted mentor. Once sin is exposed, it quickly wilts and loses its grip on you. Step #2: Repent before God Repentance repairs, true repentance removes the guilt that was weighing you down. Genuine repentance brings freedom and release immediately. Continued on Page 18
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My E Life • www.myelifemag.com • JUNE/JULY 2014 • 336-323-8091
Healthy You
Sleep! Sleep! Sleep!
ow much do you receive each night? Sometimes we fail to realize that sleep is at the top of our health and wellness list. Did you know that the lack of sleep can easily tilt our mental, physical and spiritual balance? Allow me to share a few of the many side effects of sleep deprivation: (1) Shortened life expectancy; (2) increased pain; (3) inflammation; (4) frustration in life leading to drug and alcohol abuse; (5) infections and a weakened immune system; (6) higher risk of high blood pressure; (7) high risk of type 2 diabetes; (8) depression; (9) anxiety; (10) obesity and weight gain. There are many more but I will stop at 10 for this article. Did you ever think that your lack of sleep would have such an impact on you mentally, physically and spiritually? There are at least 100,000 car accidents each year due to sleep deprivation and that is a very sad statistic. Hosea 4:6 says “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I also reject thee…” (KJV). As children of God we are held responsible for carrying out the ministry HE has placed on our lives. The ability to witness concerning God’s grace, mercy, faithfulness and goodness is our call to duty. But when we are sleepy, fatigued, and working with a foggy mental state we can’t even go forth in ministry. Let’s follow the example of Christ by pulling away from people and things at certain times to sleep and rest. Rest and sleep work hand in hand but are not the same. Each person needs a minimum of 7 to 9 hours of sleep each day just to function with clarity and sharpness. Take the time to evaluate your habits and patterns and make a change today. Reference: www.sleeppassport.com
Food for Thought
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Fault Lines
(Continued) Step #3: Renounce the crack Repentance is accompanied by renouncing. By renouncing the crack, you remove the handle bars that the enemy was using to control your life, or to get to you. Step #4: Repair the damage Take practical and positive steps to remedy the situation. We root out in order to plant. Replace the weeds with wheat. Step #5: Rejoice in the Lord Once the crack has been sealed, celebrate your wholeness. Serve the Lord with greater joy, verve, and vitality. If possible testify of His wondrous works to other people so that they too will have their cracks healed by the Lord.
We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when people are afraid of the light. Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.
When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.
My E Life • www.myelifemag.com • JUNE/JULY 2014 • 336-323-8091
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My E Life • www.myelifemag.com • JUNE/JULY 2014 • 336-323-8091
20 My E Life • www.myelifemag.com • JUNE/JULY 2014 • 336-323-8091